SA will know soon who will govern important metros

Johannesburg - South Africans can expect to know at the end
of this week, or early next week, who will govern some of the country’s big
metros.

EFF leader Julius Malema and DA leader Mmusi Maimane were
expected to announce the outcome of coalition talks on Wednesday.

The IFP, which had been seeking to increase its
municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal, said it was likely to do so later on Tuesday.

“Talks are still ongoing. We are in the final stages. Most
likely we will say something today because some councils sit tomorrow,” the
party's deputy national chairperson Albert Mncwango said.

Political parties had been involved in negotiations since
none got a clear majority in 27 municipalities following the August 3 local government
elections. Parties had 14 days to form coalitions or face election reruns.

Among the hung councils were the Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and
Johannesburg metros in Gauteng, and the Nelson Mandela Bay metro in the Eastern
Cape.

Several municipalities would hold their first council
sittings this week, to elect their mayor and speaker.

KwaZulu-Natal Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube has hit back at the Inkatha Freedom Party which has accused her of working with the ANC to stall processes in hung municipalities.